preview

Catastrophic Effect

Decent Essays
Open Document

Terrorism has been common for ages; it just wasn’t until recently that the public has become more aware and knowledgeable about the threat. A terrorist and/or terrorist group’s goal is to make a “big bang.” In other words, they find ways to disrupt a country’s critical infrastructures, increase the death toll, and make a psychological impact. There are many reasons on why a terrorist (lone wolf) or a terrorist organization chooses to do these attacks, including ideology, religion, and “top dog” and so on.
What better way to fulfill these goals than a Weapon[s] of Mass Destruction? Any Weapon(s) of Mass Destruction is defined as any unconventional weapon that is nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological. All four are “…dangerous…and potentially catastrophic and capable of massive casualties…” (Forest & Howard, 2013, pg. xxxiii). …show more content…

In his journal, Archer states Garth reasons the WMD term should actually be coined “Weapons of Catastrophic Effect.” Not only do they create “…death, injury, the destruction of buildings,” Whitty states, “[but also create]…uncertainty, panic, fear, a sense of hopelessness and forced modification of routine behavior…” (Archer, 2004, pg. 31). Garth is certainly correct about WMD creating more than just physical destruction.
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Massively Destructive Weapons sound like that they are pretty much the same thing. According to the United States and the United Kingdom though, these two things are on completely different levels. Massively Destructive Weapons are considered any weapon that is conventional. Conventional meaning that their materials are easily accessible and the weapons are easily manufactured. Some of the well-known Massively Destructive Weapons are Daisy Cutters, small arms, Improvised Explosive Devices, and land

Get Access